The Premier 250 Intrigue has a rated capacity of from 16 to 20 people, depending on the number and type of the boat's toons. The base boat has two 27" (68 cm) logs which are much more buoyant than the 23" or 25" (58 - 63 cm) tubes that most pontoon boats offer as standard. The large helm seat is standard, but the 2 reclining armchairs seen forward are optional -- and, we're told, very popular. This boat is all about pontoon luxury for entertaining.
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Mercury 8.2 MAG:
"Displacement Has No Replacement"*

*A popular slogan among engineers for large displacement engines. Although GM has stopped making large blocks for its vehicles, through an exclusive arrangement, it will continue to supply the bare 8.2L cast iron block to Mercury Marine. This is why only Mercury is able to offer this large block for inboard and sterndrive applications. The 8.2 MAG is the first engine completely dedicated to Mercury’s own design and its exclusive use. Over the course of several decades, Mercury, and particularly the Mercury Racing Team, has perfected this engine for arduous marine work. Moreover, there are many applications that simply need the depth of power and torque that only a high displacement engine can provide.
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Cruisers Sport Series 238 Bow Rider:
The Start of Something Big

The Cruisers Sport Series 238 BR is a premium level bowrider that is the second smallest boat in the CSS line that now extends to 32' (9.75 m). She has a displacement of 4,431 lbs. (2,010 kgs.) dry, which makes her one of the most robust bowriders in class. She has a changing compartment in the port console, an extra-long storage compartment in the cockpit sole that can hold wakeboards and skis in deck compartments and accessed by two hatches. We like her deep bow seating which will keep kids secure, and the swim platform that extends past the lower unit in the down position.
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Test Video

Evinrude E-TEC 250 H.O.:
Fuel-Efficient and Durable

Evinrude E-TEC engines use a special injector system that is very much like a stereo speaker in that it vibrates thousands of times a second to atomize precise amounts of fuel. No other outboard brand uses this highly-regarded system. Each pulse of the injector can inject as little as two champagne bubbles into the engine. It is one of the devices that make the 2-stroke Evinrude E-TEC 250 competitive with 4-stroke engines' fuel efficiency at cruising RPMs. Then there is the fact that this 2-stroke engine has nearly 200 fewer parts to move around and cause friction compared to a 4-stroke.
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Jeanneau Velasco 43:
Cruiser for Home and Away

The mission of the new Velasco 43 is to serve as a family cruiser with the ability to travel to more distant horizons when the owner desires. Jeanneau tells us that they were striving to reach “a superior level of comfort through the distribution of interior and exterior living spaces making the boat well-suited for today’s families.” We like the skylights in the cowling over the helm, the relatively wide side decks and bulwarks which are unusual on this size boat, and the cut-out foredeck for the anchor stock and chain.
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Prestige 620S:
An International Motoryacht

This motoryacht is the result of an impressive international collaboration of some of yachting's foremost design and engineering talent. (American) Michael Peters drew the hull, (Italian) Vittorio Garroni led the design team, and Prestige's (French) engineers made sure that it all worked as intended. Making its huge accommodations possible is the twin Volvo Penta IPS900 propulsion system (Swedish) which moves the engine room aft in addition to providing 1400 horsepower and a joystick. She carries a CE category "B" (European) rating with 14 people aboard.
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New Captain's Report

Nitro Z-9:
Built For -- and Used By -- the Pros

The Nitro Z-9 is used by scores of professional bass anglers to bring home the finny bacon. This boat has everything the pros need to conduct their business without the high overhead some brands demand. The result is a better ROI. The Nitro Z-9 is powered by a Mercury 225-hp OptiMax Pro XS with Torque Master lower unit for added dependability. The Z-9 rig comes standard with a color-matched tandem-axle trailer and all of the fishy stuff needed.
Cast a line...

Captain's Report

Yamaha SVHO:
New Watercraft Locomotion

Based on the SHO block, at 1812 cc Yamaha's new SVHO engine is still the largest displacement engine in the personal watercraft market. In our report we will take a detailed look at all of the changes and new components in the engine as well as cover the new jet-pump unit which has been significantly upgraded. While we haven't yet tested the new rig we can speculate about what all of these changes will mean to the PWC operator.
Get started here...

New Captain's Report

Robalo 206 Cayman:
New Bay Boat Has Advantages

A big advantage of being the latest entry into a crowded field is that the builder's designers can survey everything on the market, then incorporate the best features in the new boat, plus throw in a few new ideas of their own. That is what Robalo has done with its all new 206 Cayman. The result is a vessel that obsoletes many of the boats on the market, particularly the models that really haven't been changed in years. We think anglers looking to move up should put this boat on their watch list.
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Captain's Report

Yanmar 8LV Propulsion:
For Inboard, ZF 2800 POD Drive or Sterndrives
Both New and Re-Power

One of Yanmar's most popular and versatile engines is the 8LV that ranges from 320 to 370-hp. Around this workhorse engine, Yanmar has engineered both sterndrive and ZF 2800 POD drive systems utilizing a joystick in twin applications. Because the 8LV is the lightest diesel in class, it's ideal for both Yanmar's sterndrive lower unit and the ZF 2800 POD drive, in order to reduce weight in the stern. These Yanmar 8LV propulsion systems offer builders a compelling way to get more accommodations in new designs. Owners considering re-power will find that no brand does a better job of customer service than Yanmar, according to our member surveys.
Find out more about Yanmar's 8LV solutions...

PowerStop! Props:
Improved Stopping for Pontoon Boats

Conventional props -- i.e. the ones most of us have -- don't stop very well because they were designed to maximize locomotion forward. In the past some relatively obscure props were designed for stopping, but they did not go forward very well. Recently, our friends at PowerTech! created a new prop designed to stop faster without giving up much WOT performance. While these props were first designed for pontoon boats, houseboats and barges they have wider applications, as well.
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Expert Boating

BoatTEST.com’s
4-DVD
Boating Course

Based on the feedback we’ve been getting about BoatTEST.com's Video Boating Course it’s clearly not only for beginners, but also for veteran boaters as well. Perhaps that is why the NMMA started promoting the course after just one look. It's the most complete boating course available… period.
Order your 4-disc box set...

Lesson of the Week

PWC Safety Tips - Part II

This week Capt. Steve goes over five lessons and guidelines on operating a PWC and some rules to follow. It’s tempting to want to play around on the PWC and perform stunts and jump wakes, but don’t attempt this if you’re a novice since you can fall off, injure yourself coming off a wave, or hurt someone else. Also, just because your PWC looks like it can handle two or three riders doesn’t mean it was designed to carry that weight. Follow the capacity plate for your PWC. The videos presented this week are part of BoatTEST.com’s USCG-approved Boating Course. Watch these video boating lessons every week on BoatTEST.com.

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